The pools
The pools step down in tiers, so children can sit in the shallower levels while adults use the deeper ones. A 2023 guide counted five pools. A 2026 report describes a large roof over the pools, so you can soak through a downpour, plus iron stairs, walkways and rest areas. Regulars told DayakDaily they keep coming in wet weather because the warm water keeps them warm.
No water temperature or mineral analysis has been published. Caretaker Rabun Sirok recommends soaking for 45 minutes to an hour. Visitors come for joint pain and skin infections, and the 2026 report adds blood circulation and tiredness; these are local beliefs, not tested claims.
Google Maps reviews from May to September 2026 agree on one thing: the water is warm rather than hot. Several visitors said it was not hot enough for them but just right for children, and some found the pool floors mossy and slippery.
Facilities
There are changing rooms, toilets and a family barbecue area. In September 2026 a reviewer found the grass cut, no litter, clean toilets and plenty of barbecue spots free to use. The 2026 report says villagers earn extra by selling food and drinks to visitors, but no café or stall hours are published, so bring snacks if you plan to stay. A 2017 article said facilities were still incomplete, so older reviews may describe a rougher site.
Crowds
The caretaker told DayakDaily in 2024 that the spring averages more than 50 visitors a day, from Kuching, elsewhere in Sarawak and Bau itself. Indonesians and Chinese are the most common foreign visitors, with others from Europe, America, Australia and Korea. In April 2026 a resident told MalaysiaAktif that weekends and public holidays are the busiest. Go on a weekday morning for a quieter soak.
Counter staff said in 2024 that communicating with some Chinese and European visitors can be hard, so keep questions simple or have a Malay phrase ready.
Getting there
From Kuching, drive about 40 km to Bau, then follow Jalan Air Panas about 6 km to Kampung Sibulung (address: Jalan Air Panas, Paku, 94000 Bau). The pin on this page matches both the OpenStreetMap point and the Google Maps listing. Parking is not documented. There is no direct public transport to the village, so drive, take a taxi or use ride-hailing from Kuching.
Before you go
- Come late on a Saturday or Sunday for a soak after dark; it closes at 8pm on weekends and 7pm on weekdays.
- Wear sandals with grip: 2026 reviewers found the pool floors mossy and slippery.
- Bring food or barbecue supplies for the family barbecue area; no café is listed.
- Limit soaks to 45 minutes to an hour, as the caretaker advises.
- Visit on a weekday morning to avoid the weekend and public holiday crowd.
- Rain is no reason to cancel: the pools are under a roof.
Questions people ask
How much is the entrance fee at Paku Hot Spring?
RM5 per adult, confirmed by reviewers in September 2026, and RM3 for children under 12. Foreigners pay RM10 per adult and RM5 per child (May 2024 prices).
What are the opening hours of Paku Hot Spring?
Google Maps lists 9am to 7pm Monday to Friday and 9am to 8pm on Saturdays and Sundays (checked October 2026).
Is Paku Hot Spring covered?
Yes. A 2026 report describes a large roof over the pools, so you can use them in the rain.
Is Paku Hot Spring suitable for children?
Yes. The tiered pools have shallower levels for children, 2026 reviewers describe the water as warm rather than hot, and there is a family barbecue area.
How far is Paku Hot Spring from Kuching?
About 40 km from Kuching and 6 km from Bau town, along Jalan Air Panas to Kampung Sibulung.
Other springs within 150 km
Sources
Facts on this page were checked against these sources. Prices and hours change; confirm with the operator before a long drive.
- MalaysiaAktif: Kolam Air Panas Paku pacu ekonomi komuniti (1 April 2026)
- DayakDaily: Sekian lama wujud, Kolam Air Panas Paku kekal popular (19 May 2024)
- iloveborneo.my: 4 hotspring yang popular di Sarawak (February 2023)
- Borneo di Hati: 4 kolam air panas di Sarawak (September 2017)
- OpenStreetMap: Air Panas Paku (natural=hot_spring)
- Google Maps: Air Panas Paku ( Paku Hotspring )
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